[nagdu] Cost of owning a guide dog

Tue Feb 22 01:04:20 UTC 2011

Phil,
Your best source for this information is found in the Social Security
Redbook on Work Incentives.  This information I have cut and paste into this
message that highlights the basics of what I had mentioned.  If you want
more information, go to www.ssa.gov/redbook

How SGA is Applied under SSDI to Persons Who Are Blind

How do we determine SGA for blind SSDI beneficiaries who work? For the year
2011, if you are blind, average monthly earnings over $1,640 will ordinarily
demonstrate that you are performing SGA. This is higher than the current
guideline for non-blind disabled workers.  We generally change the SGA level
for beneficiaries who are blind every year to reflect changes in general
wage levels.

REMINDER:If you are blind, you may use any or all of the deductions from
earnings that apply to the SGA decision. 

How is SGA applied to blind SSDI beneficiaries who are self-employed?

 We decide the SGA of self-employed persons who are blind solely on their
earnings. We do not look at time spent in the business or services rendered
as we do for non-blind self-employed persons.

How do we determine SGA for SSDI beneficiaries who are blind and age 55 or
older?

 Special rules apply after your 55th birthday. If your earnings demonstrate
SGA but your work requires a lower level of skill and ability than the work
you did before age 55 or when you became blind, whichever is later, we will
suspend, not terminate, your benefits. Your eligibility for SSDI benefits
continues indefinitely, and we pay your benefits for any month earnings fall
below SGA.

Does SGA apply to individuals who are blind under SSI?

 No. If you meet the medical definition of blindness, we do not use SGA as a
factor to determine your SSI eligibility. Your SSI eligibility continues
until you medically recover, or we end your eligibility because of a
non-disability-related reason. See the section on Earned Income Exclusion
for an explanation of how we figure your SSI payment amount. 

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Blind Work Expenses (BWE) - SSI Eligible

How do BWE help you? We do not count any earned income that you use to meet
expenses that you need to earn that income in deciding your SSI eligibility
and your payment amount. To qualify you must be eligible for SSI based on
blindness.

The BWE items do not have to be related to your blindness. When we figure
your SSI payment amount, we treat items as BWE instead of IRWE. We do it
this way because it always results in a higher SSI payment amount for you.
The table below shows how your monthly payment would be affected by BWE
versus IRWE.

Examples of BWE Service animal expenses 
Transportation to and from work 
Federal, state, and local income taxes 
Social Security taxes 
Attendant care services 
Visual and sensory aids 
Translation of materials into Braille 
Professional association fees, and 
Union dues.  

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Philip S
Sent: Monday, February 21, 2011 4:39 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Cost of owning a guide dog

Hi Steven,
Thanks for your reply.  What is Blind Work Expense?  I'm working full
time (and studying in grad school as well) but I have never heard of
Blind Work Expense.
What brand of food do you feed your guide?
Thanks!
Phil

On 2/20/11, Steven Johnson <blinddog3 at charter.net> wrote:
> Phil,
> The costs can be variable depending on a number of factors.  These include
> brand of food, does your vet offer a discount for individuals with service
> dogs, do you have a place such as a PetCo, or PetSmart near you where you
> can take advantage of free grooming and nail trimming and more.  If you
are
> working, any of the costs to maintain your guide that come out of your
> pocket can be counted as a BWE, Blind Work Expense.  Just a few things to
> also consider as all of our costs will be somewhat different.  If I were
to
> guess my annual costs to maintain my guide, I would say around $1000 give
or
> take a hundred or so.
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> Steve
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Philip S
> Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2011 4:07 PM
> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [nagdu] Cost of owning a guide dog
>
> Hi group,
>
> I am thinking getting a guide dog and would appreciate it if you could
> help me decide if it is affordable.
>
> How much does it typically cost to care for and maintain a guide dog
> per month?
>
> About how much can I expect the cost to increase as a dog gets bigger
> (eat more?) and older (more vet visits?)
>
> In particular, how much do you spend each month (or each year on the
> following)?
> Food
> Treats
> Snacks
> regular Vet visit
> Major medical expense
> supplies
> Kennel
> license
> Toy
>
> Do you visit any dog/pet website?  Do you get your dog food/supplies
> online or at a store?
>
> Thanks very much for your help!
>
> Best,
> Phil
>
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